Blogging Through the Alphabet - Under

I was really stretching it this week with my "U" word - under. I couldn't really think of anything I wanted to blog about that begins with U. I thought about the word under....then the land down under...and then Mercie's presentation that she gave on Friday at our homeschool rally.

Each month we get together with another family and the kids give presentations. They have a topic each month to research and report on. This month we had a geography fair.

Mercie gave her presentation on Australia. She did a great job! She told us several interesting facts about Australia, including why they call it the land down under - because it's under the equator! I learned a few things, including the fact that eucalyptus is poisonous to most animals and boomerangs were used for hunting!

Silas gave his presentation on Texas. He also did a great job and had many fun facts. He told us that Dr Pepper was invented in Texas (and there is no period after Dr) and that the single star on their state flag symbolizes their struggle for independence. Also, their state mammal is the armadillo!

Titus gave his presentation on Spain. He is fascinated with Spain because he loves the book and movie Ferdinand. In fact, he gave his first presentation on the book Ferdinand! He told us that children in Spain don't have a tooth fairy - they have a tooth mouse!

We decided not to meet again until May. March and April are going to be busy months for both of our families because we both have 5 kids (each!) that play baseball and softball. We are going to let the kids choose anything under the sun they want for their final presentation (see what I did? I worked "under" in here again!)

I am glad they have had the opportunity to learn how to research, make a presentation and a board, and speak in front of others. It's been fun!

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Titus and the No Good Very Bad Morning

We have had a long weekend and week so far! Titus, my 7 year old, started off Friday by going to doctor and receiving a diagnosis of bronchitis. He started an antibiotic, an oral steroid, and breathing treatments.

He was taking a breathing treatment.

 

His bronchitis has not gotten any better. He was awake most of the night last night with a terrible earache. He was crying and rolling around the bed in pain. I gave him so Tylenol, but it didn't help his pain much at all. I called the doctor first thing this morning and they got him in at 9:45. He has a horrible ear infection. The doctor was a bit perplexed because he has been on a strong antibiotic since Friday and hasn't missed a dose, which makes it strange that he got an ear infection. When she checked his ears Friday, they looked fine. So he had a fun morning with a finger prick which showed elevated white blood cell count of 11.2, a fun flu test which was negative, a Rocephin shot to hopefully help his ear infection quickly, and a chest X-ray at the hospital to make sure he doesn't have pneumonia. He absolutely hated the shot as Rocephin shots are pretty painful. He was exhausted by the time we left the hospital and is now sleeping on the couch. I sure hope he gets to feel better soon!

When he found out he had to have a shot...

 

He fell asleep on the way home.

 

On a side note, Silas went to the doctor Monday and was diagnosed with bronchitis as well, and Zeke went in because he was running 103 fever, but they said it was a viral infection. Zeke has started coughing the past day or two, so I really hope he doesn't catch the bronchitis from his brothers.

Silly selfies in the doctor's office Friday

I was thankful my mom came and sat with Zeke, Silas and Mercie this morning so I didn't have to bring them to the germ-infested doctor and hospital. She also made sure they finished their math, language arts, and novel studies this morning. It's always nice to make sure we don't get behind in the core subjects. We can make up geography and science much easier!

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100 Days of Art: Symmetrical Butterflies (day 10)

 

 

We have been learning about butterflies and moths this week in science. I usually try to tie in our art projects with our science or geography, so I thought it would be neat to talk about a butterfly's symmetry and make a pretty art project to go along with it. We actually did this project in two ways.

The first time, I gave the kids a sheet of heavyweight drawing paper and had them fold it in half and crease it. Then I told them to draw the outline of a butterfly on one side of the crease.

Next I told them to paint the half of the outline that they drew. I told them to make the paint thick, not thin!

Then they folded the paper on the crease over the side they painted and pushed down hard. They didn't rub, they just pressed down.

When they opened the paper, they had a pretty and symmetrical butterfly! The thicker the paint was, the better the project worked.

 

 

 

 

 

Next we took another sheet of the heavyweight paper and folded it again and creased it. Then we squirted paint on one half of the paper.

 

 

We then folded the paper on the crease and rubbed the paper with our fists and hands.

 

When we unfolded the paper we had beautiful symmetrical butterflies again! The kids liked these butterflies more than the first ones, but I think they were all pretty. I plan to frame them!

 

 

 

Check out our other art projects from my 100 Days of Art Challenge!

 

Day 1: Learning to Draw

Day 2: Pyramids

Day 3: String Art

Day 4: Optical Illusion Art

Day 5: Kandinsky Concentric Circles

Day 6: Rainbow Paint Chip Mosaics

Day 7: Llama Valentine Box

Day 8: Minecraft Valentine Box

Day 9: Model Insects

 

 

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Blogging Through the Alphabet: R is for Routine

We don't exactly have a schedule for our homeschool day - my 14 month old, Zeke, would definitely put a wrench in that - but we do follow a pretty predictable routine each day.

I wake up very early every morning, usually around 5, sometimes a bit before that. I've always done this so it's become a habit. I will take my bath and get ready for the day first. Then I will read my Bible, clean up the house, lesson plan and blog until it's time to get the kids up.

I wake up Mikaela and Eli around 6:30. They leave for school around 7:20. While they're getting ready, I am still doing the things I need to do.

I wake up Mercie, Silas, and Titus around the time the big kids leave for school. Zeke is normally up around 7 or 7:30. They eat breakfast, get dressed, brush their teeth, make their beds, and clean up.

We start school around 8:00. The first thing we do is read the Bible. We read a chapter or two and fill out a notebook page. We also work on scripture memory and pray.

Next, we do geography. We are currently using Expedition Earth. It usually takes us around 30-45 minutes to do this. We read books, complete worksheets, do crafts, and learn interesting facts about our country of the week.

Then we roll right into science. We are working through the book "God's Design for Science: The World of Animals." This takes us around 30 minutes. We read, discuss, and complete a notebook page or worksheet. Some days we have hands-on activities and it lasts a bit longer.

It's usually 9:30 or 10:00 by the time we are through with our "together school", as I call it. Zeke gets into everything we do - drawing on our paper, stepping on our books, climbing on the table, fussing while I'm reading, and bringing me books to read to him. It's a challenge to get anything done, but I just press through the morning and try not to lose my temper (and my mind). I try to give him small spurts of attention throughout the morning, especially while the kids are working on their worksheets or doing a craft or activity. I usually fit his "schoolwork" in between theirs - a coloring page here, a story there, a poem here, a song there.

I get the kids started on their independent work, and Titus will read to me and complete his reading worksheet. I have to help him with math and language arts, usually holding a grumpy Zeke. I also try to get my laundry swapped at this time and maybe sweep or tidy up the homeschool area.

I usually lay down with Zeke around 10:30 or 11:00. He will only fall asleep while nursing (I know, I know...I'm ready to stop this but it's so easy to get him down this way).

When he is asleep, I cook lunch for the kids and I, and I help anyone who needs help. I check and correct their work and then send them off for free time. They normally eat and go outside to help their dad with the cows or to play, but if it's raining or bad weather, they'll play inside or watch a movie. I get the house back in order (or try to) while Zeke naps. Some days he will nap for an hour and a half, some days for half an hour. I try to cram as much cleaning as I can into his naptime.

When he wakes up, if the weather is nice, we will go outside and play. If it's not good weather for him to play in, we play inside. I am usually playing with him a bit, sorting clean laundry into baskets, playing with him some more, washing dishes, playing with him, sweeping and mopping. If I have to go run errands, now is the time I normally do this.

If the big kids don't have practice or games they are home by 3:30. I talk to them a bit and start dinner. If I cooked a big lunch, dinner is leftovers. If we ate a simple lunch, I cook a big dinner. Some days, Zeke will take an afternoon nap, some days he won't.

We will go outside for a bit, sit on the porch, clean up, eat, and hang out the rest of the evening. If the kids have a game we will go to that. I try to get some lesson planning and blogging done in the evening, but I don't always get to.

Around 6:30 or 7:00 we start baths and teeth brushing. I lay down with Zeke around 7:30 or 8:00 normally, and the kids will stay up a little later watching TV or reading. They usually go to bed around 9:00 on school nights and a bit later on the weekend.

Having a routine helps the kids to know basically what we are going to do every day so there are no surprises. I do let them know in the morning if we have any appointments or errands to run. Do you have a routine or schedule? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Blogging Through the Alphabet: Q is for Questions

Four years ago when I did a Blogging Through the Alphabet challenge, I did "I for Interviews", and I interviewed my kids. It was fun to do, and I recently read that post again! I decided I would do my "Q for Questions", and basically do the same thing. I also decided to put their answers from December of 2015 side by side with the answers from January of 2020.

Mercie
2015 (2nd grade) vs. 2020 (6th grade)

What is your favorite subject? Why?

2015- Math, because it's fun and you learn a lot."
2020- Language arts because I like writing and science because I like learning about animals.

What is your least favorite subject? Why?

2015- History, because it isn't fun and hard to understand. I don't really like learning about presidents and stuff.
2020- Math, because it can sometimes be confusing.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
2015- Hair-cutter, because it would be fun and you make a lot of money.
2020- Veterinarian because I love helping animals.

What is your favorite thing to do?
2015- Jump on the trampoline.
2020- Play basketball.

What is your favorite food?
2015- Chicken  nuggets!
2020- Pizza and chocolate!

What is your favorite Bible verse?
2015- For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son for whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
2020- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.

Silas
2015 (Kindergarten) vs. 2020 (4th grade)
 
What is your favorite subject? Why?
2015- The thing where you have to color the numbers. A journal is what I mean. (A Count and Color journal by the Thinking Tree)
2020- Science because I like doing the pages. (worksheets)

What is your least favorite subject? Why?
2015- Flashcards. It's so haaaaaaard.
2020- Math because division is hard.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
2015- This is what I really am going to grow up to be: Rubble on the Double. (a dog from Paw Patrol)
2020- A rancher.

What is your favorite thing to do?
2015- Spend the night with Nana.
2020- Ride horses.

What is your favorite food?
2015- Puppy Chow (Chex Muddy Buddies)
2020- Puppy Chow

What is your favorite Bible story?
2015- Jesus created the earth and the world.
2020- The Parable of the Sower.

Titus
2015 (3 years old, PK) vs. 2020 (2nd grade)
 
What is your favorite thing to do in school?
2015- I don't know.
2020- Math because everything else isn't really that fun.

What is your least favorite thing to do in school?
2015- Um, do homework and that's it.
2020- Science because it's too much.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
2015- Daddy. And Chase on the Case, too. (another dog from Paw Patrol)
2020- A welder.

What is your favorite thing to do?
2015- Um, just Paw Patrol.
2020- Go hunting.

What is your favorite food?
2015- Macaroni and Cheese.
2020- Ice cream.

What is your favorite Bible Story?
2015- (singing) Jesus loves me, yes I know, for the Bible tells me so, Holy, Holy, Holy.
2020- Samson.

It was so interesting to me to see how much their answers had changed over the years! Although Silas's favorite food is still puppy chow! I'd love to do this again in another four or five years.

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Blogging Through the Alphabet: P is for Presentations

My kids are involved in a homeschool group with another family. They have five children homeschooling, and I have three, so eight children participate each month. We choose a topic, and each child spends the month researching a subtopic and making a presentation board. They give a short 3-5 minute presentation on their topic. Here is what we have done so far:

August: a book fair (each child chose their favorite book to do a presentation on)
September: a math fair (each child chose a math topic)
October: a science fair (science projects)
November: an art fair (each child chose an artist, a style of art, or anything to do with art)
December: We were going to do "Christmas Around the World" but we decided to take a month off.
January: a Bible fair (any topic, book, or character from the Bible)

I'm planning to do a geography fair, poetry fair, hobby fair, and then repeating the book or science fair to complete the months February through May.

We've had a really great time doing this. It's been good for my kids to learn how to speak in front of a group of people that isn't family. Mercie and Silas even gave presentations this month at our 4H meeting. We also have some sort of STEM activity at each meeting. One month they had to make army man launchers with just a handful of supplies, and another month they had to make the longest paper chain they could with just one sheet of paper, a foot of masking tape, and a pair of scissors . Last month, they had to build the tallest tower they could with just index cards and dot stickers. I think they enjoy the STEM activities more than the presentations!

Here are some pictures of some of our presentation boards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some pictures of our STEM activities:

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